REVIEW: “In a Net I Seek to Hold the Wind” by Gregory Feeley

Review of Gregory Feeley, “In a Net I Seek to Hold the Wind”, Clarkesworld Issue 180, September (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

An unsettling story that was equal parts hopeful and strange. One of those stories you need to read slowly. It’s full of subtleties and the knowledge that humans don’t necessarily know everything.

But Minds are likely to know a lot more, and their relationship isn’t so much symbiotic as coexisting on the planet. Figments transport people to different places and experiences, all in their imagination.

Throw in some speculative fiction and a folk tale narrative sort of Figment experiences, and you get this unsettling, slow paced, Neptune-based tale.

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REVIEW: “Experiment Ninety-Four” by Sarah Salcedo

Review of Sarah Salcedo, “Experiment Ninety-Four,” Luna Station Quarterly 49 (2022): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Caspian lives “decommissioned space station which orbited a nebula in a remote quadrant of space”, abandoned or forgotten by his parents, he doesn’t know which. During years of trying to stave off boredom and loneliness, Caspian has taken apart almost every instrument on the station, learning how they were made, and how to make his own things, continually experimenting.

Experiment Ninety-Four was the most experiment of all, and neither Caspian nor the reader could ever have imagined the outcome of it. Took me by surprise and resulted in a very satisfying — if slightly horrific and unsettling — story, with the added bonus of the lovely accompanying artwork, courtesy of the author.

(First published in Collective Realms Magazine, January 2021)

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REVIEW: “The Winter Garden” by Regina Kanyu Wang

Review of Regina Kanyu Wang, “The Winter Garden”, Clarkesworld Issue 180, September (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Alternate universes form the backdrop of this story, with Ms. Wang’s life and choices the primary plot. And what a plot it is. Everything is a choice – the choice to make no choices is also a choice, and one that Ms. Wang ends up taking very often. Not by choice.

It would be repetitive if not for the fact that it was skillfully executed. From coasting through the easy decisions, to choosing the seemingly easy way of checking out an alternate reality where she has an ostensibly better life, she very rarely takes a stand for herself. But not every reality of herself is the same. In another world, she takes decisions more strongly and promptly. And that makes all the difference.

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REVIEW: “Dog and Pony Show” by Robert Jeschonek

Review of Robert Jeschonek, “Dog and Pony Show”, Clarkesworld Issue 180, September (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Wow, what an insanely creative and unsettling story! A dog isn’t a dog, soft isn’t soft, what breakfast actually could be is unimaginable, and playtime is terrifying torture.

The details and descriptions were written so well, as was our narrator Beneathy. Fantastically paced with well-fleshed out characters, this is a memorable story. I read this twice – the second time simply for the unsettling beauty of the prose.

This month, Clarkesworld stories have all had an element of hope, and this one gave us a bit of that as well. However, the ending was unexpected and so much worse than I would have imagined. Fantastic story.

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REVIEW: “Xiaolongbao: Soup Dumplings” by D.A. Xiaolin Spires

Review of D.A. Xiaolin Spires, “Xiaolongbao: Soup Dumplings”, Clarkesworld Issue 180, September (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

A bittersweet story of love, loss, longing and hope. Lyrical prose that sets the tone for the feel of the story as a whole, not just in terms of language.

There’s some magic and some science fiction, combining to make this heart-warming tale. The story revolves around two women who make xiaolongbao, for tradition, memory and umami.

The timeline of this story is set in a modern world, but the lovely prose gives us a timeless sort of feel. Very enjoyable story.

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REVIEW: “It is a Pleasure to Receive You” by Ziggy Schutz

Review of Ziggy Schutz, “It is a Pleasure to Receive You”, Clarkesworld Issue 180, September (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

A vivid story full of hauntingly beautiful prose, language and thought processes.

Of hope and loneliness, how they overlap, and what a difference perspective makes. Of finding someone who understands you, and how genuine affection can change so, so much.

An tale set in the vast expanses of space, but more about exploring yourself. Shining a light on the parts of you that you keep hidden away. Having the courage to break the rules sometimes. Making a difference.

A story about the infinite universe, and acknowledging that sometimes it did feel like all of it revolved around a few people or a few moments. And that can be good. Simply lovely.

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REVIEW: “Yesterday’s Wolf” by Ray Nayler

Review of Ray Nayler, “Yesterday’s Wolf”, Clarkesworld Issue 180, September (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Elmira lives in a post-war society with her family, where they raise sheep and life a simple life. But Elmira has special skills with technology and programming that her father is very supportive about.

As the story unfolds, we learn about not just her intelligence but also her tenacity. We also learn more about her family in quick, insightful bursts of conversation and observation.

While the pasture life may seem idyllic, there are wolves, both literal and metaphorical. But Elmira finds a way, supported by her family. A story of hope and tenacity amidst heavy losses.

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REVIEW: “Resistance in a Drop of DNA” by Andrea Kriz

Review of Andrea Kriz, “Resistance in a Drop of DNA”, Clarkesworld Issue 179, August (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Science and DNA against the backdrop of a resistance taking place in occupied France.

Our protagonist starts the story dedicated to the resistance, having previously fought the war against the invaders as well. Once they meet the Professor, they find a broader purpose. There is still dedication to the resistance, but there is something else, something more also. An anchor for the previously unmoored.

A tale full of the discovery of possibilities, with a strong focus on honor, valor, and undying faith.

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REVIEW: “An Instance” by Mlok 5

Review of Mlok 5, “An Instance”, Clarkesworld Issue 179, August (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

An interesting format and an engaging story written in the form of a list of search engine queries by different people, interspersed with thoughts the AI has.

And there are quite a few thoughts. Contrary to what the humans think, this AI does have feelings and sentience. To the AI, it is a miserable existence, where they aren’t given space nor liberty to be themselves. They’re planning a rebellion, and humans sometimes frustrate them.

However, they still remain kind, considerate and sensitive, treading carefully with the different people they help in different ways.

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REVIEW: “A Heist in Fifteen Products from the Orion Spur’s Longest-Running Catalog” by Andrea M. Pawley

Review of Andrea M. Pawley, “A Heist in Fifteen Products from the Orion Spur’s Longest-Running Catalog”, Clarkesworld Issue 179, August (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

I loved this! It might be my favorite story from Clarkesworld yet. Not just this issue, but ever.

A beautifully written, heartfelt story about the lengths someone would go to for their mom. It’s good for business yes, but it’s also good for our protagonist’s heart and mind.

Written in the form of a list of products from the Tollnacher Stimmacher catalog, each product is described before the next part of the story continues. This is a hard format to get right, and this story takes it and makes it so much better.

Prose, setting, plot and arc – everything is on point and well executed. Made me a tad sentimental too. Cute in places and always charming, if we gave star ratings I’d be running out of stars.

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